Open House to unlock Brisbane

Brisbane residents and visitors will have a rare opportunity to discover the hidden wealth of architecture, engineering and history in buildings and places around the city with the Brisbane Open House event to be held over the weekend of the 12^th and 13^th of October

Housing and Public Works Minister Tim Mander and Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection Andrew Powell today marked the official launch of the fourth annual Brisbane Open House event.

Mr Mander congratulated the Brisbane Open House committee for the amazing success and growth of the event.

“The committee has done an incredible job to expand this year’s event to more than 70 buildings meaning for the first time it will be held over two days,” he said.

“Residents and visitors to Brisbane will be able to go behind the scenes of wonderful old historic buildings, as well as modern, environmentally friendly structures and ultra-chic creative workspaces – all at no charge.”

Mr Powell said the Brisbane Open House had continued to go from strength to strength over the last four years.

“This event not only recognises and highlights the heritage of our great city but encourages people to engage and access important historical sites and buildings—such as the Commissariat Store and Brisbane City Hall—which have shaped who and what we are,” Mr Powell said.

“This event has served as a fantastic example of how to encourage people to learn about their history and I am very excited to see regional centres such as Maryborough and Toowoomba now also following the trend and opening up Heritage listed properties over the coming months.”

First held in October 2010, Brisbane Open House is now a major part of Brisbane’s events calendar. Brisbane Open House unlocks a multitude of contemporary, historic and environmentally significant buildings in and around Brisbane. It is also complemented by a number of initiatives including the Speaker Series, photographic competitions, a children’s program and the Art in Design Exhibition.

For more information, visit the Brisbane Open House website at www.brisbaneopenhouse.com.au.

[ENDS] 5 September 2013

Media contacts: Martin Kennedy 0407 643 998 (Minister Mander)
                          Brooke Hargraves 0458 689 043 (Minister Powell)